DJ Foster to ASU, hopes to influence other recruits

Saguaro High School running back D.J. Foster will don maroon and gold
next year at Arizona State which he revealed at a press conference on
Friday.

The standout kept his options open to other Pac-12 schools such as USC
and California, but decided the morning of his announcement that he
will stay in state.

“Just talking to my family, and I just prayed on it,” Foster told Arizona
Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo. “I just felt like it was the best situation
for me to stay at home with all of my family and friends and just keep
working hard.”

Foster had a stellar season with the Sabercats carrying the ball 234 times
for 3,058 yards and 54 touchdowns. In one game, Foster rushed an
astounding 508 yards and scored 10 touchdowns against Sunrise
Mountain.

Foster was already being actively pursued by ASU while Dennis Erickson
was still with the program, but opened up the recruiting process again
when Todd Graham took over. Foster was very close to siding with Cal,
but was eventually sold on Graham.

“I already knew a lot about what I needed to know about ASU; it was just
getting to know the coaches and Coach Graham,” Foster said. “And the
first thing he talked to me about was God, and it was just a blessing.
That definitely touched me that he’s a God-first type of guy and he told
me to just pray on it.”

Foster was also encouraged by Graham’s determination to put ASU back
on the map and the ASU coaching staff wants to recruit all the talent in
Arizona. Foster wants to be an example to keep kids in the state to start
something big at ASU. He met Centennial’s Zach Hoffpauir at the All-
American game, and hopes he can influence his decision. Hoffpauir is
deciding among ASU, Cal and Stanford, and will reveal his choice on Feb.
1.

“That was the first time I kind of met Zach, and me and him have been
kind of talking a lot recently,” Foster said. “I hope that me staying home
definitely has kind of an impact on him. I would love to play with him for
the next four or three years or whatever it may be.”